NEW BADEN, Ill. — A search and recovery operation was launched Monday, Jan. 26, 2026, afternoon after a man fell through the ice of a pond near Clinton County Line Road and Renth Road and did not resurface.
The New Baden Fire Department was dispatched at approximately 3:15 p.m. on Monday to the scene, where a male individual was reported to have fallen through the ice.
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A dive team from the Swansea Fire Department was called in shortly after, and multiple fire departments and emergency agencies responded to assist in the effort.
Due to extreme cold temperatures, search operations continued for several hours before the incident was transitioned from a rescue to a recovery. Operations were suspended at approximately 8:40 p.m. on Monday. Recovery efforts are scheduled to resume on Tuesday.
The New Baden Fire Department expressed gratitude to Clinton County dispatch and all responding agencies for their support. Officials requested that the public refrain from providing additional assistance at this time and asked the community to keep the individual’s family and those involved in their thoughts and prayers.
Agencies involved in the response included New Baden EMS, New Baden Police Department, St. Clair County Sheriff’s Department, Swansea Fire Department, Greenville Fire Department dive team, Keysport Fire Department dive team, Clin-Clair Fire Department, Sugar Creek Fire Department, Germantown Fire Department, Mascoutah Fire Department, St. Libory Fire Department with MABAS light tower, Benton Fire Division 68 with boat, St. Clair County Special Services, Belleville Fire Department with boat, O’Fallon underwater search and recovery team, and the St. Clair County Emergency Management Agency, which provided a warming bus and refreshments.
Creekside Bar & Grill also donated food to support responders.
